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"Entering into a covenant" is what we name "a revival"; they made it a national act, we separate it entirely from political affairs.

I. THE PREPARATIONS FOR REVIVAL.

1. The persons who led. A faithful prophet and an obedient king. Of Azariah we know nothing beyond the short record of this chapter. This suggests that a man is important to the world only for the work he does. The king was ready to learn from this obscure prophet and to lead the people to consecration. Happy the pastor who finds the wealth, authority, and zeal of his Church willing to receive the sacred message humbly from his lips and faithfully lead where he points the way.

2. The truths they used. The same that inspire every true revival (ver. 2). Divine faithfulness, human responsibility, mercy for the penitent, punishment for the hardened.

II. THE REVIVAL. In this blessed work there was —

1. Repentance.

2. Atonement (ver. 11).

3. Consecration.

III. THE JOY OF RECONCILIATION (ver. 15). Lessons:

1. The reformer must begin at his own house.

2. Service for God may cost pain.

3. The true leader is called of God.

4. Every true leader is a rallying-point for others (ver. 9).

(Monday Club Sermons.)

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KJV: And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

WEB: They entered into the covenant to seek Yahweh, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul;